D A Y    F O U R

I got up early the next morning, so I'd have time to watch the news before heading off to work. I really didn't feel like going to work today, but I knew it would be unfair to let Jenny down. I like working at Early Rise Café. It isn't stressful or strenuous, and I only work four days a week. But I just can't help but want so much more. I envy Poppy who's studying at college on the path she needs to be to do her dream job. I'd hate to think I was going to be working in a café all my life, even though Jenny seems happy enough. But until I find the confidence to redo my GCSE's, I'm stuck serving cakes and coffees.

After rushing to get ready to watch the news, I felt disappointed that nothing was mentioned about last night's occurrence. I felt as though I wouldn't have been the only one who changed their morning routine to watch the news, eagerly awaiting answers. Everything is broadcasted on the news these days. Surely, this couldn't be missed. Sighing in disbelief, I hit the power button on the television remote and dragged myself off the sofa.

I shouted goodbye to my parents, and then suddenly remembered my mum had gone into work in the early hours of this morning, and my dad was just on call out for the week, so he was most likely still asleep. I quickly grabbed my bag and locked the door behind me.

I thought about my parent's careers as I took the short walk to work. I consistently found myself weighing up the pros and cons of different jobs, desperately trying on the hunt of a career that suits me. I wouldn't like to do my mum's job. Being a nurse never took my fancy. I understand why my mum likes her job, because she is constantly helping people, which must be a good feeling. But I like routines; I couldn't deal with the consistency of different shifts, including early mornings, nights and weekends.

The day dragged from the moment I stepped inside Early Rise Cafe. Minutes and hours haven't gone by this slow for a long time. Customers in, customers out, nothing worth remembering happened on this sunny Saturday. The weather was back to being warm and humid after yesterday's strange occurrence. It was strange that it was warm at all; it's hardly warm in summer never mind spring!

I stood around watching people, observing their actions, and listening closely to their speech although nine out of ten times they were sitting too far away. I often found myself feeling anxious when being in public places due to the worldwide news spotlight, always fearing someone is going to tell me information to prove it. But it's an unlikely chance.

I watched the clock hands tick slowly around the clock face, making minutes feel like hours, hours feel like days. We were usually busier than this on a Saturday. Everyone seemed to disappear then everyone would rush in all at once. It was rather peculiar.

I took a short lunch since we were facing a busy spurt, and Jenny said I could take a break later in the afternoon, which I was glad about since Poppy said she'd pop by later. She didn't come until it was nearly closing time, but it was an easy finish to my shift, I suppose.

We both lay back on the comfy sofa in the corner. Poppy kept accidentally elbowing me as she tried to adjust her hearing aid, getting more and more frustrated by the second.

"Everything sounds fuzzy!" she shouted, making everyone turn and stare at us. It always angered me when people stared at her. She isn't being rude by shouting; she simply just can't hear all that well from time to time. However, on the other hand, I didn't feel sorry for her as I know she wouldn't want me too. She was born with a hearing defect. It was the way she was meant to be, and thanks to her hearing aid, she can hear just as well as you and I for the majority of time. At least she doesn't have any disruptions to her sleep because once the hearing aids are turned off she can barely hear a thing. I sometimes envy that, especially being such a light sleeper!

"All sorted?" I asked as she slumped her hands back onto her knees.

"You no longer sound like a robot, thankfully!" she giggled, her arm jumping in the air. The glistening silver watch caught her eye, "Is that really the time?" she asked as the colour drained from her face.

"It's ten to six..." I stated in confusion.

"Oh, Charlotte, I have to go! Sorry I didn't realise the time!" she slurred.

"I didn't know you had plans?" I racked my brains in case I was forgetting an important occasion that she had told me about weeks ago, but I couldn't think of any.

"Oh-uh...just the doctors!" Her voice sounded weak as words stumbled from her mouth. She swooped her bag up and ran towards the door, not giving me time to say goodbye.

Waves of confusion suddenly filled my forehead, immediately making me wonder why Poppy behaved so unusually. Her voice didn't sound like its chirpy self, and her eyebrows wiggled more than usual. I dwelled on the thought for a few more minutes before picking up our glasses and taking them through to the kitchen. I grabbed the bottle of disinfectant and a cloth, turning the sign in the window to 'closed' on my way past. I began spraying the tables and propping the chairs on top, ready for the floor to be cleaned. I rushed the job, wanting to get home as soon as possible.

"Was Poppy okay today? I didn't have the chance to come and say hi I was rushed off my feet, I have no idea where all of those people were coming from!" Jenny laughed, as she began sweeping the floor.

"Yeah, she seemed fine. She rushed off a little suddenly though. I'm not sure why. She had to go to the doctors I think. I didn't quite hear what she said." Lines of confusion reappeared on my forehead once again; I shook my head not knowing why I was so fussed about it.

"Jack came in earlier when you were on your dinner. He was asking after you, said he hadn't seen you in a few days," she said as she swept her long blonde curls out of her face.

"I'll look out for him tomorrow morning when he comes in for his morning coffee." I smiled as I sprayed the last table.

I would have usually offered to help Jenny with the rest of her cleaning jobs, but today I felt too physically exhausted. "Are you all finished? I'll see you tomorrow." She smiled, reaching for the dustpan and brush. "Wait it's Sunday tomorrow! I'll see you Tuesday," she laughed, forgetting my work schedule. I said goodbye and grabbed my jacket and small spotty purse.

I threw my jacket over my arm and tucked my purse into my pocket as I walked swiftly out of the café. I checked the time on my phone, thinking it felt much longer than ten minutes since Poppy dashed off! Staring down at my phone I came to the sudden realisation that I was about to walk into something. My heart raced as I saw the lamppost only centimetres away from my face, I slowly edged back and scanned around me, hoping no one had seen. My eyes focused on the only two people in the street, sitting on a bench across the road. I probably wouldn't have normally bothered to give them more than two seconds of my time, but there is only one person who wears brightly coloured stripy tights and bright red doc martins, and not for fancy dress.

That bench doesn't look much like the doctors, I thought to myself. I considered crossing the road and going to see Poppy when I suddenly realised the boy sitting next to her was leaning closer and closer, her eyes focused on his lips.

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Authors Note: Here's the next instalment of 30 Days To Say Goodbye, I hope you enjoy it!  I'm hoping to make updates more frequent now I'm finished college for summer!

Questions of the chapter: What are your thoughts on the ending? 

Don't forget to show your support through leaving feedback, so I know whether or not you're enjoying it. Thanks for reading! Don't forget to add 30 Days To Say Goodbye to your library to receive update notifications! :)

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